Although she was the long-time companion of gunfighter Doc Holliday, she lived with miner John Jesse Howard (August 20, 1845-January 3, 1930) in Dos Cabezas, Cochise Co., Arizona, for over 20 years. When Howard died in 1930, Kate became the executrix of his will. His wife's name was Mary Alvira Vanderwalker.

Big Nose Kate, aka Kate Elder, aka Mary Cummings, lived with John Jesse Howard and adminstered his estate. His estranged wife was Mary Vanderwalker, according to his death certificate, for which Kate was the informant.